Full Review

Cycles Gladiator

Cycles Gladiator
2021 Chardonnay, California

Pair this wine with:
Chicken Shellfish Turkey

Category: Chardonnay

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 13%
86 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$13
Best Buy

Cycles Gladiator
2021 Chardonnay, California

Pair this wine with:
Chicken Shellfish Turkey

Category: Chardonnay

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 13%
Emerald straw color. Aromas and flavors of candied ginger, lemon and green apple, vanilla lemon meringue, and cinnamon and big league chew bubblegum with a velvety, crisp, dryish medium body and a tingling, delightful, medium-length finish manifesting notes of candied ginger, green and yellow apple, dried mango, and white flowers. An incredibly easy drinking and food friendly wine that will pair with Cuban food or sushi.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Crisp & Lively
Aroma Aroma: candied ginger, lemon and green apple, vanilla lemon meringue, and cinnamon and big league chew bubblegum
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with notes of candied ginger, green and yellow apple, dried mango, and white flowers
Sweetness Sweetness: Dryish
Enjoy Enjoy: Now on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Turkey, Roasted Chicken, Boiled Lobster
Bottom Line Bottom Line: An incredibly easy drinking and food friendly wine that will pair with Cuban food or sushi.

The Producer

Wine Hooligans LLC

The Producer
980 Airway Court
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
USA
1 707-527-7355

Their Portfolio

86 1797 2019 Bourbon Barrel Aged, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 14.5% (USA) $22.00.
BR Broadside 2020 Chardonnay, Central Coast 14.5% (USA) $17.00. - Bronze Medal
89 Broadside 2020 Sip Certified, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $17.00.
90 Broadside 2020 Santa Margarita Ranch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $22.00.
92 Broadside 2021 Santa Margarita Ranch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 14.5% (USA) $29.00.
87 Broadside 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $17.00.
88 Broadside 2021 Santa Margarita Ranch, Merlot, Paso Robles 14.5% (USA) $17.00.
87 Broadside 2021 Chardonnay, Central Coast 13.5% (USA) $17.00.
88 Broadside 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $14.00.
85 Broadside 2021 Chardonnay, Central Coast 13.5% (USA) $14.00.
87 Broadside 2021 Santa Margarita Ranch, Merlot, Paso Robles 14.5% (USA) $14.00.
BR Cycles Gladiator 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, California 13.5% (USA) $13.00. - Bronze Medal
BR Cycles Gladiator 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 14.5% (USA) $13.00. - Bronze Medal
87 Cycles Gladiator 2020 Pinot Noir, California 14.5% (USA) $13.00.
88 Cycles Gladiator 2020 Merlot, California 14.5% (USA) $13.00.
BR Cycles Gladiator 2020 Red Blend, California 15% (USA) $13.00. - Bronze Medal
BR Cycles Gladiator 2020 Chardonnay, California 14.5% (USA) $13.00. - Bronze Medal
86 Cycles Gladiator 2021 Chardonnay, California 13% (USA) $13.00.
88 Cycles Gladiator 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.5% (USA) $12.00.
BR Cycles Gladiator 2021 Pinot Noir, California 13.5% (USA) $12.00. - Bronze Medal
86 Cycles Gladiator 2021 Merlot, California 13.5% (USA) $12.00.
85 Cycles Gladiator 2021 Chardonnay, California 13% (USA) $12.00.
87 Cycles Gladiator 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.5% (USA) $9.00.
86 Cycles Gladiator 2021 Pinot Noir, California 13.5% (USA) $9.00.
87 Cycles Gladiator 2021 Chardonnay, California 13% (USA) $9.00.
86 Portlandia 2019 Red Blend, Columbia Valley 14.5% (USA) $21.00.
86 Portlandia 2019 Red Blend, Columbia Valley 14.5% (USA) $21.00.
92 Portlandia 2019 Big Believer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 13.5% (USA) $21.00.
92 Portlandia 2019 Big Believer Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 13.5% (USA) $21.00.
85 Portlandia 2020 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $21.00.
85 Portlandia 2020 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $21.00.
93 Portlandia 2021 Rosé, Columbia Valley 12.5% (USA) $17.00.
90 Portlandia 2021 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley/Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $17.00.
87 Portlandia NV Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine, Columbia Valley 12% (USA) $21.00.
88 Portlandia NV Brut Sparkling Wine, Columbia Valley 12% (USA) $21.00.
89 Portlandia 2020 Big Believer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 14.5% (USA) $22.00.
92 Portlandia 2020 Red Blend, Columbia Valley 14.5% (USA) $22.00.
85 Portlandia 2021 Pinot Gris, American 13.5% (USA) $12.00.
88 Portlandia 2021 Pinot Noir, Oregon 13.5% (USA) $17.00.
88 Portlandia 2020 Big Believer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 14.5% (USA) $17.00.
86 Shortbread 2020 Chardonnay, California 14.5% (USA) $17.00.
86 Shortbread 2021 Buttery, Chardonnay, California 14.5% (USA) $14.00.
86 Shortbread 2021 Buttery, Chardonnay, California 14.5% (USA) $14.00.
89 Stephen Vincent 2020 Pinot Noir, North Coast 13.5% (USA) $15.00.
BR Stephen Vincent 2021 Chardonnay, North Coast 13.5% (USA) $17.00. - Bronze Medal
88 Stephen Vincent 2021 Pinot Noir, North Coast 14.5% (USA) $17.00.

Chardonnay

Wine Glass White.jpg
Serve in a White Wine Glass
Chardonnay is arguably the world’s most famous white variety, thanks to its success in France’s Burgundy region as well as throughout much of California. Chardonnay on its own has rather straightforward, pleasant aromas of apple and pear, but when aged (and sometimes fermented) in small oak barrels, the wines take on extra richness as well as notes of toasted almond, vanilla and yeast.

The most renowned examples of Chardonnay are from small villages and vineyards in Burgundy, such as Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault. These wines are very powerful with ample spicy notes and very good acidity; they age very well, sometimes as long as 20-25 years. Another part of Burgundy, Chablis, is home to more restrained style of Chardonnay. Certain areas of California, especially Russian River Valley in Sonoma and Santa Barbara County are also home to many distinguished examples of Chardonnay, with those from the latter region often displaying tropical fruit flavors.

Given that most Chardonnnays are aged in small oak barrels, there has been a movement as of late to give consumers a mored delicate style of Chardonnay, without all the spicy and toasty flavors. Thus there are now many producers that produce non-oak aged Chardonnays; this has been seen from many producers from Australia as well as a few in California as well.

Chardonnay, especially oak-aged versions, are quite rich and need seafood of equal richness at the dinner table. Thus lobster, halibut and swordfish are ideal food pairings.

Top Rated for
Chardonnay

Wakefield 2022 Promised Land, Chardonnay, South Australia
95 POINTS
Wakefield 2022 Promised Land, Chardonnay, South Australia
13.5% $13.00.
Australia
Mira Winery 2019 Napa Valley, Chardonnay, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
94 POINTS
Mira Winery 2019 Napa Valley, Chardonnay, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
13.5% $50.00.
USA
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2021 Estate, Chardonnay, Finger Lakes
94 POINTS
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2021 Estate, Chardonnay, Finger Lakes
12.2% $18.00.
USA
Jarvis 2021 Finch Hollow, Chardonnay, Napa Valley
94 POINTS
Jarvis 2021 Finch Hollow, Chardonnay, Napa Valley
14.8% $195.00.
USA
Jarvis 2021 Unfiltered Finch Hollow, Chardonnay, Napa Valley
94 POINTS
Jarvis 2021 Unfiltered Finch Hollow, Chardonnay, Napa Valley
14.9% $215.00.
USA
Gooseneck Vineyards 2022 Chardonnay, France
94 POINTS
Gooseneck Vineyards 2022 Chardonnay, France
13.5% $18.00.
France
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2021 Expedition, Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills
94 POINTS
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2021 Expedition, Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills
14.1% $15.00.
USA
Jarvis 2020 Unfiltered Finch Hollow, Chardonnay, Napa Valley
94 POINTS
Jarvis 2020 Unfiltered Finch Hollow, Chardonnay, Napa Valley
14.8% $195.00.
USA
St. Andrews 2023 Chardonnay, Clare Valley
93 POINTS
St. Andrews 2023 Chardonnay, Clare Valley
13% $32.00.
Australia
Montsablé 2022 Chardonnay, Vin De Pays De L
93 POINTS
Montsablé 2022 Chardonnay, Vin De Pays De L'Aude
12.5% $19.00.
France
Davis Family Vineyards 2021 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
93 POINTS
Davis Family Vineyards 2021 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
13.9% $40.00.
USA
Jip Jip Rocks 2023 Single Vineyard, Chardonnay, Padthaway
93 POINTS
Jip Jip Rocks 2023 Single Vineyard, Chardonnay, Padthaway
13% $16.00.
Australia
Wine Spots 2021 Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County
93 POINTS
Wine Spots 2021 Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County
14.5% $25.00.
USA

Best Buys for
Chardonnay

Wakefield 2022 Promised Land, Chardonnay, South Australia
95 POINTS
Wakefield 2022 Promised Land, Chardonnay, South Australia
13.5% $13.00.
Australia
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2021 Estate, Chardonnay, Finger Lakes
94 POINTS
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2021 Estate, Chardonnay, Finger Lakes
12.2% $18.00.
USA
Gooseneck Vineyards 2022 Chardonnay, France
94 POINTS
Gooseneck Vineyards 2022 Chardonnay, France
13.5% $18.00.
France
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2021 Expedition, Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills
94 POINTS
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2021 Expedition, Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills
14.1% $15.00.
USA
Montsablé 2022 Chardonnay, Vin De Pays De L
93 POINTS
Montsablé 2022 Chardonnay, Vin De Pays De L'Aude
12.5% $19.00.
France
Jip Jip Rocks 2023 Single Vineyard, Chardonnay, Padthaway
93 POINTS
Jip Jip Rocks 2023 Single Vineyard, Chardonnay, Padthaway
13% $16.00.
Australia
Wakefield 2022 Estate, Chardonnay, South Australia
93 POINTS
Wakefield 2022 Estate, Chardonnay, South Australia
13.5% $18.00.
Australia
Natural Selection NV Dangerously Good, Chardonnay, Australia
93 POINTS
Natural Selection NV Dangerously Good, Chardonnay, Australia
12.5% $9.00.
Australia
Carmenet 2021 Chardonnay, California
93 POINTS
Carmenet 2021 Chardonnay, California
12.5% $13.00.
USA
Wakefield 2021 Estate, Chardonnay, Padthaway
93 POINTS
Wakefield 2021 Estate, Chardonnay, Padthaway
13.5% $18.00.
Australia
Naledi 2023 Chardonnay, Coastal Region
92 POINTS
Naledi 2023 Chardonnay, Coastal Region
13.7% $18.00.
South Africa
Mt. Monster 2022 Single Vineyard, Chardonnay, Limestone Coast
92 POINTS
Mt. Monster 2022 Single Vineyard, Chardonnay, Limestone Coast
13.5% $13.00.
Australia